Prefabricated shelter structure

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated shelter structure comprising at least two pairs of spaced apart elongated opposed support ribs which are secured at their lower end. A preformed side panel is secured between opposed support ribs from adjacent pairs of support ribs. A preformed top panel is located between at least two pairs of support ribs and secured above and bridging opposed side panels. A first adjustable connection member is attached to the upper end of the opposed ribs and extends therebetween. A second adjustable connection member is secured near the upper end of the respective one of the ribs and extends downwardly outwards of the structure for connection to an anchor means whereby to retain the ribs in position.

United States Patent [1 1 Wagner 9 3,846,943 1 Nov. 12, 1974 PREFABRICATED SHELTER STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Joseph Wagner, 97 Du Crochet Ave., Laval des Rapides, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 406,897

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,375,420 4/1921 Schumacher 52/149 2,693,195 11/1954 Frieder 52/148 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 629,492 11/1927 France 52/86 866,149 6/1941 Franceu", 52/86 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or FirmAlan Swabey & Co.

[57] ABSTRACT A prefabricated shelter structure comprising at least two pairs of spaced apart elongated opposed support ribs which are secured at their lower end. A preformed side panel is secured between opposed support ribs from adjacent pairs of support ribs. A preformed top panel is located between at least two pairs of support ribs and secured above and bridging opposed side panels. A first adjustable connection member is attached to the upper end of the opposed ribs and extends therebetween. A second adjustable connection member is secured near the upper end of the respective one of the ribs and extends downwardly outwards of the structure for connection to an anchor means whereby to retain the ribs in position.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEUNUH 2 I974 v 3.846.943 SHEET 20$ 2 PREFABRICATED SHELTER STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION a. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prefabricated structure constructed of sections which can be easily transported, erected and dismantled and which can be made of indefinite length.

b. Description of Prior Art Various types of prefabricated shelter structures have heretofore been provided. However, some of these structures are very 'complexin construction and require special tools for assembly. Further, some of these structures are of predetermined length and can not be easily expanded. Also, many of these structures are costly to produce as they utilize preformed tubing and special interconnecting elements and also are very awkward to erect. Still further, some of these structures cannot be easily dismantled for storage or relocation.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is a feature of the present invention to provide a prefabricated shelter structure which is constructed of sections which can be added to it to build a structure of indefinite length.

It is a further feature to provide a prefabricated shelter structure which can be easily dismantled, transported and which is easy to assemble.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a prefabricated shelter structure which is econom' ical to produce and relatively light weight.

According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention relates to a prefabricated shelter structure comprising at least two pairs of spaced apart elongated opposed support ribs whichare secured at their lower end. A preformed side panel is secured between opposed support ribs from adjacent pairs of support ribs. A preformed top panel is located between at least two pairs of support ribs and secured above and bridging opposed side panels. A first adjustable connection member is attached to the upper end of the opposed ribs and extends therebetween. A second adjustable connection member is secured near the upper end of the respective one of the ribs and extends downwardly outwards of the structure for connection to an anchor means whereby to retain the ribs in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying 1 drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prefabricated shelter structure in accordance with the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown, generally at 10, the prefabricated shelter structure of the present invention. The structure 10 comprises at least two pairs of spaced apart elongated opposed support ribs 11 secured at their lower end 12 to suitable stationary means. such as a baseboard 13. The support ribs 11 are plate-like elongated ribs having planar surfaces 14 to which is attached side panels 15. The support ribs are downwardly tapered towards their lower end 12 whereby to secure to a transverse side flange 16 of a side panel having an arcuately shaped upper end. These ribs may be constructed of plywood or other suitable material.

The side panels 15 are substantially rectangular and are constructed of molded fibre reinforced plastic material. A reinforcing ridge 17 is formed along the central longitudinal axis of the side panels whereby to reinforce the panel. As shown in FIG. 4, the side panels 15 are securedby suitable fastening means such as bolts 18 to the support ribs 11. The support ribs 11 have predrilled holes to receive'the bolts 18 therethrough and in alignment with holes provided in the side flanges 16 of the side panels 15.

A preformed top panel 20 is secured between adjacent pairs of ribs 11 and located above and bridging opposed side panels 15, secured between adjacent pairs of ribs 11.

The side and top panels also each have end flanges 19 which are interconnected by means of bolts (not shown). A reinforcing ridge 21 is also formed in the arcuate top panel 20 and positioned for alignment with the reinforcing ridge 17 of the side panels. Although not shown, an insulating strip material or caulking compound may be positioned between the end flanges of the top and side panels to provide a seal whereby to prevent leakage within the shelter structure.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown the interconnection between adjacent top panels 20. The top panels 20 are also provided with transverse. side flanges 22 and these may be connected directly to each other by means of bolts 23. Alternatively, an elongated arcuate joint member 24 may be secured between the flanges 22. The joint member 24 is formed of an extruded member defining a flat upper wall 25 and a transverse connecting wall 26 extending centrally of the'flat wall 25 and being received and interconnected in the joint formed by the opposed side flanges 22 of opposed top panels 20 whereby to reinforce and cover this joint. The joint member 24 also makes it possible to form top panels of the same width as the side panels as it fills the joint created by the support ribs interposed between adjacent side panels. Preferably, although not exculsively, the joint member 24 is formed of metal whereby to provide added support for the roof of the structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the curvature of the top panel 20 and the curvature in the upper section of the side panels 15 lies in the same arcuate plane whereby to provide a substantially domeshaped structure for improved stress and weight transfer of roof loads. As seen in FIG. 3, the top panel connects to the side panel above the upper inner edge 27 of the support ribs 11.

In order to maintain the support ribs 11 in position, a first adjustable connection member 30 is secured near the upper end of each pair of ribs and extends therebetween. A second adjustable connection member 31 is also secured near the upper end of'a respective one of the support ribs and extends downwardly outwards of the structure for connection at its other end to an anchor means 32 whereby to retain the ribs in position. Hereinshown, the first and second connec tion members are nylon ropes approximately 3/16 inch in diameter. As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the connection of the first and second connection members are each provided with a plate fastener 35 which consists of a metal rectangular plate having two sections extending at an angle to each other whereby to form a V- shaped type fastener. One end of the rope or 31 is secured to one section of the plate fastener whilst the rope extending between the two ribs or between the rib and the anchor means passes through a hole in the rib l1 and then through a hole 36 in the other section of the fastener 35. Thus, by sliding the plate fastener along the rope away from the connected end the rope can be held taut between opposed support ribs. This is achieved by the bridging action of the rope passing through the hole 36 and abutting against the end edge 37 of the other section. Although not shown, the end 37 may have a groove formed therein whereby to locate and prevent slippage of the rope from the end 37. Also, the fastener is preferably, although not exclusively, formed of light metal such as aluminum.

The front and rear of the roof portion of the structure 10 may be provided with an end panel secured to the outward side flange 22 of the end top members. Further, the area between opposed end support ribs may be made closable by suitable closure means such as acanvas door (see FlG. 3) eithersecured to the lower edge of the end panel 40 or slideable on the first adjustable connection rope 30 secured in the upper edge of the end panels. As shown in FIG. 2, a door 55.

may also be formed inone of the side-panels 15 for access to the interior of the structure from the side thereof. This door may also be closed by a canvas door or a door formed of a similar material and hinged to the panel 15. In the latter case, a special door side panel would be provided and can be located anywhere in the structure. The anchor means 32 can be in the form of a tent peg or any other suitable means for anchoring the structure in the ground or in concrete material if the structure is to be permanently erected.

There are many applications for this type structure, one of which is to provide a prefabricated garage structure for storing a vehicle in severe climatic conditions whereby to shelter the vehicle from snow or heavy rain. Further, the structure can be conveniently located against a building about a door to prevent snow from building up in the pathway leading to the door. Still further, the structure can be used as a temporary housing for industrial or recreational use. The shelter can. also be used between docks for sheltering boats.

It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover obvious modifications of the embodiment disclosed hereinabove. For example, a prefabricated floor can be provided for securing the lower end of the support ribs thereto. Also, the first adjustable connection member 30 attached near the upper end of the opposed ribs may be a joint member 25 having ends which are securable to the support ribs whereby to hold these in fixed spaced apart relationship and preventing them from collapsing inwardly.

I claim:

1. A prefabricated shelter structure comprising at least two pairs of spaced apart elongated opposed support ribs secured at the lower end thereof, a preformed side panel secured between opposed support ribs from adjacent pairs of support ribs, a preformed top panel between said at least two pairs of support ribs and secured above and bridging opposedside panels, a first adjustable connection member attached near the upper end of said opposed ribs and extending therebetween, a second adjustable connection member secured near the upper'end of a respective one of said ribs and extending downwardly outwards of said structure for connection to an anchor means whereby to retain said ribs in position.

2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support ribs are plate-like elongated ribs having flat planar surfaces, said side panels extending transversely to said surfaces and secured thereto.

3. A structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said side panel and top panel have side and end flanges projecting transversely to their planar axis along the edges thereof, said side flanges of said side panel being connectable to a respective support rib, said side flanges of said top panel connectable to respective side flanges of adjacent top panels and said end flanges of said top panel being connected to a respective end flange of a respective side panel.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said top panel is arcuately formed.

5. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is further provided an elongated joint member having a flat upper wall and a transverse connecting wall formed integral therewith, said connecting wall extending centrally of said flat wall and being received and interconnected in a joint formed by opposed side flanges of opposed top panels toreinforce and cover said joint.

6. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said side panel is arcuate in the upper end section thereof, said arcuate end section being connected to an end of said top panel, said arcuate end section having a curvature lying in the same plane as the curvature of said arcuate top panel.

7. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support ribs are downwardly tapered towards their secured lower end, said support ribs lying outside the connecting joint between said top panels and said side panels.

8. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said top and side panels are molded fibre reinforced plastic sheets, each said panels having a reinforcing ridge formed along the central longitudinal axis thereof.

9. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second adjustable connection members are ropes each associated with a plate fastener. attached to one end of said rope and movable therealong to maintain said rope taut.

10. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first adjustable connection member is a joint member positioned and secured between opposed side flanges of opposed top panels and having connectable ends securable to the upper ends of said support ribs. 

1. A prefabricated shelter structure comprising at least two pairs of spaced apart elongated opposed support ribs secured at the lower end thereof, a preformed side panel secured between opposed support ribs from adjacent pairs of support ribs, a preformed top panel between said at least two pairs of support ribs and secured above and bridging opposed side panels, a first adjustable connection member attached near the upper end of said opposed ribs and extending therebetween, a second adjustable connection member secured near the upper end of a respective one of said ribs and extending downwardly outwards of said structure for connection to an anchor means whereby to retain said ribs in position.
 2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support ribs are plate-like elongated ribs having flat planar surfaces, said side panels extending transversely to said surfaces and secured thereto.
 3. A structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said side panel and top panel have side and end flanges projecting transversely to their planar axis along tHe edges thereof, said side flanges of said side panel being connectable to a respective support rib, said side flanges of said top panel connectable to respective side flanges of adjacent top panels and said end flanges of said top panel being connected to a respective end flange of a respective side panel.
 4. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said top panel is arcuately formed.
 5. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is further provided an elongated joint member having a flat upper wall and a transverse connecting wall formed integral therewith, said connecting wall extending centrally of said flat wall and being received and interconnected in a joint formed by opposed side flanges of opposed top panels to reinforce and cover said joint.
 6. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said side panel is arcuate in the upper end section thereof, said arcuate end section being connected to an end of said top panel, said arcuate end section having a curvature lying in the same plane as the curvature of said arcuate top panel.
 7. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support ribs are downwardly tapered towards their secured lower end, said support ribs lying outside the connecting joint between said top panels and said side panels.
 8. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said top and side panels are molded fibre reinforced plastic sheets, each said panels having a reinforcing ridge formed along the central longitudinal axis thereof.
 9. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second adjustable connection members are ropes each associated with a plate fastener attached to one end of said rope and movable therealong to maintain said rope taut.
 10. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first adjustable connection member is a joint member positioned and secured between opposed side flanges of opposed top panels and having connectable ends securable to the upper ends of said support ribs. 